The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sturgeon called on to help patients get answers
Breast cancer patients’ concerns after receiving lower chemotherapy doses
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to help NHS Tayside breast cancer patients given lower than standard chemotherapy doses get answers about their care.
Around 200 individuals were given the lower level between December 2016 and April this year in a bid to reduce harmful side effects.
A Scottish Governmentcommissioned review later said the treatment resulted in an increased risk of their cancer recurring.
Ms Sturgeon was challenged by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith over the issue last month and the SNP leader drew ire from patients and families after suggesting assurances “have already been provided”.
The Courier has repeatedly highlighted concerns raised by experts over the veracity of findings in a series of Scottish Government-commissioned reviews into the treatment.
Ms Smith has written to Ms Sturgeon to say people felt “they had not been provided with the necessary assurances”.
The Perthshire-based MSP called on Ms Sturgeon to help get answers on what clinical evidence was put forward to justify lowering the dose and specifically, which individuals signed off on the decision.
She said patients who complained received an email from NHS Tayside medical director Peter Stonebridge on October 30, which confirmed only that the decision was made by a panel of “a surgeon, an oncologist and a radiologist”.
Ms Smith asked what discussions had taken place between Healthcare Improvement Scotland and NHS Tayside about current clinical opinion on treatment of breast cancer.
Perth-based campaigner Lee Dennis, founder of the NHS Tayside Cancer Care Support Group, has offered to meet the Ms Sturgeon to outline concerns.
She said: “It is disappointing that after many months, patients and families are still asking for solid foundational evidence and honest answers.
“Many of us feel we have been patronised, dismissed and – in some instances – lied to.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have been assured all women with breast cancer in Tayside will receive the same quality of care as any other patient in Scotland.
“Any patient who remains concerned and has questions about their specific treatment should absolutely expect to have these addressed, which is why we have written to NHS Tayside to ask they ensure these patients are properly responded to.”